.ai

.ai Domain Guide

Anguilla

The country code for Anguilla has become the go-to extension for artificial intelligence companies and AI-powered products. It's one of the most valuable ccTLDs in tech.

Price

$70-100/year

Trust Level

High

Popularity

Growing

Type

ccTLD

History

The .ai domain was delegated in 1995 as the country code for Anguilla, a small Caribbean territory. For years it remained obscure until the AI boom of the 2010s. As artificial intelligence became mainstream, startups began adopting .ai for the obvious branding benefits. The TLD saw explosive growth from 2020 onwards with companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and countless AI startups establishing their presence. Today, .ai is one of the most valuable and sought-after TLDs in tech.

Best For

AI/ML companies

AI-powered products

Tech startups in AI space

Research organizations

Who Should Use .ai

AI and machine learning companies
AI-powered SaaS products
AI research organizations
Companies with AI as a key differentiator
Data science and analytics platforms

Who Should Avoid .ai

Companies without AI in their core offering
Budget-conscious startups (high costs)
Non-tech businesses
Companies where the AI association would be misleading

Pros

Perfect branding for AI companies
High perceived value
Growing recognition
Memorable and relevant

Cons

Expensive registration and renewal
Limited to AI-related businesses for best results
Two-year minimum registration

Technical Details

Registry	Government of Anguilla (via accredited registrars)
Restrictions	2-year minimum registration
Length	2-63 characters
IDN Support	No
DNSSEC	Supported
Privacy Protection	Available

SEO Impact

Neutral for SEO. The TLD itself doesn't impact rankings, but relevance to AI content may help with topical authority. No geographic penalty for global targeting.

Registration Tips

Premium .ai names can be very expensive - budget accordingly

Some registrars offer better pricing - compare options

Consider registering the .com as well for brand protection

Act quickly - good .ai names are being registered rapidly

Complete Guide

The Ultimate Guide to .ai Domains

The .ai TLD has become essential branding for artificial intelligence companies. As AI transforms industries, owning the right .ai domain can be a significant competitive advantage.

The .ai Phenomenon

Why .ai Works: The alignment between the TLD and the technology is perfect:

AI = Artificial Intelligence
.ai = Your AI Company
No explanation needed

Market Recognition: Major AI companies have validated .ai:

OpenAI uses openai.com but the association is clear
Anthropic uses anthropic.ai (now anthropic.com too)
Stability AI uses stability.ai
Countless funded startups use .ai

Investment in .ai

The Cost Factor: .ai domains are expensive:

Standard registration: $70-100/year
Premium names: $500-$50,000+
2-year minimum commitment
Renewals at same rate

ROI Considerations: Is the premium worth it?

If AI is your core product, probably yes
The branding value can be significant
Premium .ai may be cheaper than premium .com
Growing recognition justifies cost for AI companies

.ai vs Other TLDs for AI Companies

When to choose .ai:

AI is your primary differentiator
Your audience understands AI
You can afford the premium
You want immediate industry recognition

When .com might be better:

You're targeting mainstream consumers
AI is one feature, not your identity
You found a great .com at reasonable cost
You want the broadest possible trust

Registration Strategies

Timing Matters: Good .ai domains are being registered rapidly:

The best single-word names are mostly gone
Two-word combinations still available
Act fast on good names
Consider registering variations

Where to Register: Different registrars offer different pricing:

Compare prices across major registrars
Check renewal rates, not just first-year
Ensure WHOIS privacy options
Verify transfer policies

Building an AI Brand on .ai

Successful .ai Brands: Study how top AI companies use .ai:

Simple, memorable names work best
Technical audiences appreciate the signal
The .ai becomes part of the brand identity

Marketing Considerations:

"Dot A-I" is easy to say
Works well in digital marketing
Natural for tech-savvy audiences
May need explanation for mainstream markets

Technical Aspects

HTTPS and Hosting: No special requirements for .ai:

Works with all SSL providers
Compatible with all hosting platforms
Standard DNS configuration

Email on .ai: Email deliverability is generally good:

Major providers handle .ai well
Proper SPF/DKIM/DMARC recommended
Monitor for any issues with legacy systems

Popular .ai Domains

stability.aiStable Diffusion creators

character.aiAI character chatbots

copy.aiAI copywriting tool

jasper.aiAI content platform

runway.aiAI video generation

anthropic.aiAI safety company (Claude)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are .ai domains so expensive?

High demand from the AI industry, limited supply as a small country's ccTLD, 2-year minimum registration, and the perfect branding match for AI companies all drive up prices.

Do I need to be an AI company to use .ai?

No, there are no restrictions. However, using .ai for a non-AI business may create confusion and won't leverage the branding benefits that justify the higher cost.

Is .ai better than .com for AI companies?

For pure AI companies targeting technical audiences, .ai can be more effective branding. For mainstream consumer products with AI features, .com may provide broader trust.